Adesola Aderogba, the Head Coach of UK-based Apex Tennis Academy, has revealed plans by the Academy to organize a year-ending inter school junior tennis competition.
In an exclusive interview with Nigeria Tennis Live on the sidelines of the launch of a tennis court at Chalcedony School, Abijo, GRA, Lekki, the UK-trained professional tennis coach informed that the competition is aimed discovering new talents in the sport.
He noted that as a student of the Federal Government College, Ilorin, there were facilities for them to play tennis and train regularly, but these are no longer available.
Aderogba added that the collaboration with the Nigerian school is only one of many to come, as they are seeking more donors and sponsors to build great courts.
On plans for the competition, he said: “this is something we are looking at to start towards the end of 2020, because it’s a pipeline plan.
“We shall be talking to other schools as well, to seek their participation in the tournament and it shall follow the best practices of the ITF.”
The School Director, Mrs. Olowookere, expressed her desire to see the school produce future tennis champions.
According to her: “We are obviously excited about this project because it is something we’ve been looking forward to having for some time now.
“All the top tennis stars that we see today started just the way these youngsters will be starting soon, and I believe we shall be creating another Serena Williams and other world beaters in this school.
“We are most grateful to Apex Tennis Academy through their head coach, Mr. Adesola Aderogba, for making this see the light of the day.”
Ogunniyi Adeleke, the contractor for the project, was particularly ecstatic about the school court, as he noted that he is proud to have been a part of the project.
The director of Sportshill explained that it was a privilege working with the school and the Academy to make the court a reality.